Electronic seatbelt

ABSTRACT

A seatbelt buckle that includes a housing, an attracting member, an attractable element, and a plate adapted to retain a seatbelt clip within the housing. The member, the element, and the plate may be carried by the housing. The buckle is adapted so that when the member is electronically actuated, the element causes the plate to move toward the member and thereby release the clip.

BACKGROUND

Seatbelt mechanisms include a latch and a buckle and are adapted torestrain a vehicle passenger in the event of a vehicle collision. Inconventional electronic systems, the mechanism is energized to inhibitthe passenger from unfastening the latch from the buckle (e.g., themechanism is energized to electronically lock the passenger in a vehicleseat). And when, for example, once the mechanism is no longer energized,the passenger can unfasten the latch and remove it from the buckle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an electronic seatbelt system for avehicle.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a seatbelt clip and a seatbelt buckle inan uncoupled state.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the seatbelt clip and seatbelt buckle ofFIG. 2 in a coupled state, the clip and a housing of the buckle inphantom.

FIG. 4 is an exploded, perspective view of the seatbelt clip andseatbelt buckle of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the seatbelt clip and seatbelt buckle,wherein the housing of the seatbelt buckle is hidden and a frame of thebuckle and the clip are in phantom.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the seatbelt buckle, wherein the housingand the frame of the buckle are hidden and the clip is in phantom.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an example of a lock of the seatbeltbuckle.

FIG. 8 is an end view of the seatbelt buckle, wherein the housing,frame, and clip are hidden.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the seatbelt clip and seatbelt buckle inthe uncoupled state.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the seatbelt clip and seatbelt buckle inthe coupled state.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of another example of a seatbelt buckle, thebuckle and clip in an uncoupled state.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the buckle and clip of FIG. 11 in acoupled state.

FIG. 13 is an end view of the seatbelt buckle of FIG. 11, wherein thehousing, frame, and clip are hidden.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the figures, wherein like numerals indicate like partsthroughout the several views, an electronic seatbelt system 10 is shownin a vehicle 12. The seatbelt system includes one or more seatbelt clipsor latches 14, 16, 18, 20 (each clip coupled to a respective firstseatbelt webbing 22, 24, 26, 28), one or more seatbelt buckles 30, 32,34, 36 (each buckle coupled to a respective second seatbelt webbing 38,40, 42, 44), and at least one computer 46 (e.g., a restraint controlmodule (RCM)) coupled to at least one of the buckles (e.g., to 30, 32).As discussed herein, while the clip (e.g., 14) and the buckle (e.g., 30)may be mechanically coupled to one another by inserting the clip atleast partially into the buckle, the clip may be released from thebuckle using an electronic actuation. In at least one example, thisfeature may inhibit a child from decoupling the clip and buckle from oneanother until an adult or guardian performs the electronic actuation.

According to one example, the electronic seatbelt system 10 may besuitable for use in autonomous vehicles such as vehicle 12. Consider forexample that vehicle 12 is an autonomous taxi that may be used totransport a child to a predetermined destination. The child may besecured in the vehicle 12—e.g., in a child car seat (not shown)—and thecar seat may be restrained using clip 14 and buckle 30. Thereafter, theautonomous taxi may transport the child to the predetermineddestination. During transport, should the child (or another child in thevehicle) attempt to decouple the clip 14 and buckle 30, they may beunsuccessful as an option to manually decouple the clip 14 and buckle 30may be unavailable or may be inhibited, as will be described below. Forexample, in at least one implementation—the buckle 30 may release theclip 14 via an electronic actuation only when the vehicle 12 safelystops at the predetermined destination. Triggering the electronicactuation may be based on one or more criteria—e.g., based on GPSlocation (as in the child car seat example), based on an instructionsent from a vehicle instrument panel 48 (e.g., by a person seated in afront seat S1 or S2), based on an instruction sent from a mobile device(e.g., such as a Smart phone) (not shown), based on a determination byvehicle computer 46 that vehicle airbags (not shown) have deployed andthat the vehicle 12 has stopped, etc. In at least one example, theelectronic actuation occurs in response to sensor data (e.g., biometricdata) received via a sensor (discussed below) located on the seatbeltbuckle (e.g., one of 30-36)—e.g., a fingerprint scan by an authorizeduser. Examples of the seatbelt system 10 and the electronic actuationwill be explained in greater detail below.

In the example above, the autonomous taxi may include the vehicle 12operating in a fully autonomous mode (e.g., a level 5), as defined bythe Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) (which has defined operationat levels 0-5). For example, at levels 0-2, a human driver monitors orcontrols the majority of the driving tasks, often with no help from thevehicle 12. For example, at level 0 (“no automation”), a human driver isresponsible for all vehicle operations. At level 1 (“driverassistance”), the vehicle 12 sometimes assists with steering,acceleration, or braking, but the driver is still responsible for thevast majority of the vehicle control. At level 2 (“partial automation”),the vehicle 12 can control steering, acceleration, and braking undercertain circumstances without human interaction. At levels 3-5, thevehicle 12 assumes more driving-related tasks. At level 3 (“conditionalautomation”), the vehicle 12 can handle steering, acceleration, andbraking under certain circumstances, as well as monitoring of thedriving environment. Level 3 may require the driver to interveneoccasionally, however. At level 4 (“high automation”), the vehicle 12can handle the same tasks as at level 3 but without relying on thedriver to intervene in certain driving modes. At level 5 (“fullautomation”), the vehicle 12 can handle all tasks without any driverintervention.

Of course, the electronic seatbelt system 10 may be used in otherautonomous modes, as well as non-autonomous modes (i.e., system 10 maybe operative in accordance with any of levels 0-4 as well). And forpurposes of this disclosure, an autonomous mode is defined as one inwhich each of vehicle propulsion (e.g., via a powertrain including aninternal combustion engine and/or electric motor), braking, and steeringare controlled by one or more vehicle computers (e.g., computer 46and/or other computers not shown).

As shown in the schematic view of FIG. 1, the vehicle 12 may be apassenger car or any other suitable vehicle. For example, vehicle may bea truck, sports utility vehicle (SUV), recreational vehicle, a bus ortrain (e.g., a school bus), marine vessel, aircraft, or the like thatincludes the electronic seatbelt system 10. In the illustrated example,four vehicle seats S1, S2, S3, S4 are shown, each having a seatbelt clip14-20 and a seatbelt buckle 30-36. Each clip 14-20 is coupled to arespective first webbing 22-28, which in turn may be coupled to a body50 (or vehicle frame (not shown)) of the vehicle 12; similarly, eachbuckle 30-36 is shown coupled to a respective second webbing 38-44,which in turn may be coupled to the vehicle body or frame. In at leastone example, each of the clips 14-20 are identical and each of thebuckles 30-36 are identical; therefore, only one clip/buckle pair (e.g.,14, 30) will be described below. And while two rear seatbelt buckles 30,32 are shown coupled to the computer 46, it should be appreciated thatany number of seatbelt buckles could be coupled to the computer (e.g.,including one or more of the front seatbelt buckles 34, 36 as well).

FIGS. 2-10 illustrate the clip 14 and buckle 30 in greater detail. Theclip 14 includes a base 52 having a slot 54 (for coupling the clip 14 tothe first webbing 22) and a tongue 56 coupled to and extending from thebase 52. The tongue 56 includes a coupling feature 58—e.g., illustratedhere as a through hole and defined by an opening 60 and a thickness ofthe tongue 56. As will be described more below, the coupling feature 58may include an abutting surface 62 which may be used to retain the clip14 within the buckle 30 in a coupled state. Other coupling features alsoexist; this is merely one example.

The buckle 30 may include a housing 64 and a frame 66 carried within thehousing 64. In one non-limiting example (and as illustrated), thehousing 64 and frame 66 each may have a rectangular shape. A first end68 of the housing may have a slotted opening 70 sized to receive thetongue 56 of clip 14. A major side 72 of the housing 64 may have anotheropening 74 sized to accommodate a sensor 75, as will be described morebelow. And a second end 76 of the housing 64 (opposite the first end68), may be open to permit the frame 66 to be slid within an interior 78thereof. And the frame 66 and/or housing 64 may have retaining features(not shown) to retain the frame 66 within the housing 64 when assembled.This is merely one housing example; others exist (e.g., includingexamples having an opening for a sensor 75 located on other sides).

The frame 66 may be generally shaped like a drawer having a bottom 80,two extending sides 82, 84 coupled to the bottom 80, and a closed end 86coupled to the bottom 80 and sides 82, 84. Opposite the closed end 86,the frame 66 may have an opening 88 defined at least partially by anedge 90 of the bottom 80 and the edges 92, 94 of the two extending sides82, 84. Two flanges 96, 98 may extend toward one another from therespective sides 82, 84—e.g., forming a track 99, the use of which willbe described more below. Each extending side 82, 84 may have acorresponding slot (100, 102)—e.g., for coupling a respective secondseatbelt webbing 38, as described above. In addition, the bottom 80 mayhave an opening 104 which may be generally rectangular and which mayextend from a middle region 106 of the bottom 80 toward the closed end86; this opening 104 may permit movement within housing 64 of additionalseatbelt buckle components which are described below. The frame 66and/or the housing 64 each may be formed via a molding process using anysuitable non-ferromagnetic material (e.g., high-strength aluminum,plastic, etc.).

The frame 66 may be coupled to the housing 64, and various componentsdescribed below can be coupled to the frame 66 and/or the housing 64.Further, it should be appreciated that a number of components may becoupled directly to the frame 66 and thus indirectly coupled to thehousing 64.

In at least one example, the buckle 30 further may comprise the sensor75, an attracting member 112, an actuator 114 carrying an attractableelement 116, a lock 118 for engaging the tongue 56 of clip 14, and anejector mechanism 120. Each will be discussed in turn.

Sensor 75 can be an electronic device adapted for touch, tactile,contact, or proximity sensing and may be located at least partiallywithin the opening 74 of the major side 72 of housing 64 (see also FIGS.9-10). One non-limiting example of sensor 75 is a biometric sensor whichis adapted to sense at least a portion of a human's fingerprint orfingerprint pattern by the user touching an outwardly-facing surface 121thereof. In one implementation, the sensor 75 is coupled to a circuitcard 122 located within housing 64 (e.g., see FIGS. 9-10)—and this card122 may include a processor and electronic circuitry adapted to digitizesensor data and provide the sensor data to the computer 46. The circuitcard 122 is not required, and other types of sensors are possible.

The attracting member 112 may be any device which, when electronicallyactuated by computer 46, attracts the attractable element 116. In atleast one example, the attracting member 112 is an electro-magnet—e.g.,a device that generates a magnetic field when electrical current passestherethrough, wherein the magnetic field disappears in the absence ofelectrical current. The attracting member 112 may be configured and/orarranged so that the magnetic field is directed toward the attractableelement 116 and consequently attracts the element 116 toward theattracting member 112 when energized (e.g., creating a magnetic couplingwherein the member 112 and element 116 are attracted to one another). Inone example, the attracting member 112 is coupled to an inner surface124 of the housing 64 (e.g., near the second end 76 and opposite opening74). In this manner, when the frame 66 is assembled into the housing 64,the attracting member 112 may be located between the housing 64 and theframe 66.

In at least one example, the attracting member 112 may include amagnetic core 126 (e.g., to shape or guide the magnetic field created bythe attracting member 112). The core 126 may have any suitable shape andmay be comprised of any suitable material having a relatively highmagnetic permeability (e.g., a ferromagnetic metal). Here, the core 126is shown at least slightly embedded within the attracting member 112;however, this is not required (e.g., it could be surface-mountedinstead). When assembled, the attracting member 112 may be oriented sothat the core 126 faces the frame 66. The core 126 is optional; thus,attracting member 112 implementations without the core 126 are alsopossible.

The actuator 114 is another component which may be located between theframe 66 and housing 64—e.g., between the frame 66 and the opening 74 onthe major side 72. As used herein, the actuator 114 includes anycomponent that includes the attractable element 116 and which is adaptedto displace the lock 118 from the clip 14 in response to an electronicactuation of the attracting member 112. In one example, it includes anactuator plate 128 having a proximal end 130 coupled to the housing 64.In the illustrations, the proximal end 130 is pivotally coupled tohousing 64 via a rod 132; however, this is not required. Nearer a freeend 134 of the plate 128, a flange 136 may extend outwardly from a side138 of the plate 128 which faces the frame 66. And at least a portion ofthe flange 136 may include the attractable element 116—which accordingto one non-limiting example is a magnetic core (having any suitableshape and being comprised of material similar or identical to the coredescribed above). Core 116 may be suitably configured and/or arranged tobe responsive to the magnetic field selectively generated by theenergization of the attracting member 112. In one example, the flange136 includes two terminal portions 140, 142 which carry the core 116,and the core 116 extends farther from the side 138 of plate 128 than theterminal portions 140, 142—e.g., see FIG. 8. The actuator plate 128 andflange 136 may be formed in a mold. For example, the plate 128 andflange 136 may be formed around the core 116 according to an insertmolding process using any suitable material (e.g., any suitablenon-ferromagnetic material (e.g., high-strength aluminum, plastic,etc.)).

In other examples, the proximal end 130 of actuator plate 128 could befixed to the housing 64—and, e.g., the plate 128 could be comprised of aresilient material (e.g., plastic or the like). Thus, instead ofpivoting via the rod 132, the actuator plate 128 could flex toward theattracting member 112 during electronic actuation (to an attractedposition) and return to a nominal position when the attracting member112 is not actuated. Thus, in either example, the free end 134 isuncoupled and permitted to move toward the attracting member 112.

The lock 118 may include a base plate 144 having a proximal end 146 thatis thicker than the remainder of the base plate 144; in one example, theproximal end 146 may be fixed to the bottom 80 of frame 66 (nearer endwhen assembled). A free end 148 of the base plate 144 may include anotch 150 at a peripheral edge 152—and the notch 150 may be defined bytwo protruding portions 154, 156. The width of the notch 150 may besufficiently large to permit at least a portion of the attractableelement 116 to move between the protruding portions 154, 156 withoutinterference.

A locking feature 158 of lock 118 may protrude from a side 160 of thebase plate 144 (e.g., the feature 158 may face actuator 114). Accordingto one non-limiting example, the feature 158 may be a ramp having asloped surface 162 (nearer the proximal end 146) and an abutting surface164 (facing the free end 148). As will be explained more below, when theclip 14 and buckle 30 are in a coupled state, the abutting surface 164(of the lock 118) may be engaged with the abutting surface 62 (of theclip 14) while the lock 118 is in a nominal position. And, in releasingthe clip 14 from the buckle 30, the base plate 144 may resiliently flexto a driven position (driven by actuator 114) and the sloped surface 162of the locking feature 158 may facilitate ejecting the tongue 56 fromthe buckle 30.

In other lock examples, the proximal end 146 of the base plate 144 couldpivot within the frame 66—e.g., the plate 144 being biased to thenominal position using a spring or the like (not shown) nearer the freeend 148. Or in another example of lock 118′ (shown in FIG. 7), which maybe used singly or in combination with other examples discussed, the baseplate 144′ may include a magnetic core 166 as well (e.g., nearer thefree end 148) to promote displacement from the nominal position to thedriven position. Regardless of the arrangement, in at least one example,the locking feature 158 and base plate 144 may be formed together in amold using any suitable non-ferromagnetic material (e.g., a plastic orthe like). When the core 166 is included, an insert molding process maybe used, as previously described.

The ejector mechanism 120 may be a component carried by the frame 66 fordriving the tongue 56 of the clip 14 from the buckle 30. According to atleast one example, it may include a C-shaped bracket 168 and a pair ofsprings 170. A leading edge 172 of the bracket 168 may be orientedwithin the frame 66 to abut an end surface 174 of the tongue 56 and thetwo trailing edges 176, 178 of the bracket 168 each may be coupled toends of springs 170 (the opposite ends of which may be coupled to aninner surface 180 of the closed end 86 of frame 66). In this manner, thesprings 170 may bias the bracket 168 toward the slotted opening 70 ofthe buckle housing 64—and the bracket 168 may slide within the track 99of frame. The quantity and arrangement of springs 170, as well as theshape and orientation of the bracket 168, may differ in other examples.The bracket 168 and/or the springs 170 also may be comprised of anysuitable non-ferromagnetic material (e.g., high-strength aluminum,plastic, etc.).

To assemble the buckle 30, the attracting member 112 may be mountedwithin the second end 76 of the housing 64 (as described above). Alsothe sensor 75 may be located within the housing 64 at the opening 74;similarly, the circuit card 122 (if used) may be located within thehousing 64 as well (e.g., near an inner surface 182 of the major side 72or the like). Thereafter, the proximal end 130 of the actuator plate 128may be coupled to the housing 64 (e.g., nearer the first end 68 at oradjacent to the inner surface 182).

Before inserting the frame 66 into the housing 64, components may beassembled therewith. For example, the base plate 144 (of the lock 118)may be coupled to the bottom 80 of the frame 66; thereafter, the ejectormechanism 120 may be located in the frame 66 (coupling the springs 170to the frame 66 and bracket 168, and locating the bracket 168 within thetrack 99). Next, using the slots 100, 102 (and/or any other suitablefeature), the second webbing 38 may be secured to the frame 66.Thereafter, the frame 66 may be coupled within the housing 64 so thatthe open end of the frame 66 is nearest the slotted opening 70 of thehousing 64, and the second webbing 38 extends from the second end 76 ofthe housing.

As discussed with respect to FIG. 1 above, the electronic seatbeltsystem 10 also may include one or more computers (e.g., such as arestraint control module (RCM) or the like). While multiple computersmay be used to carry out the functions described below, a singlecomputer 46 will be described for illustrative purposes only. Computer46 may comprise a processor or processing circuit 184 coupled to memory186. For example, processor 184 can be any type of device capable ofprocessing electronic instructions, non-limiting examples including amicroprocessor, a microcontroller or controller, an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), etc.—just to name a few. Processor 184 may bededicated to computer 46, or it may be shared with other vehicle systemsand/or subsystems. In general, computer 46 may be programmed to executedigitally-stored instructions, which may be stored in memory 186, whichenable the computer 46, among other things, to electronically actuatethe attracting member in the buckle (e.g., energize the electromagnet),and (when applicable) to authenticate sensor data received from thesensor.

Memory 186 may include any non-transitory computer usable or readablemedium, which may include one or more storage devices or articles.Exemplary non-transitory computer usable storage devices includeconventional computer system RAM (random access memory), ROM (read onlymemory), EPROM (erasable, programmable ROM), EEPROM (electricallyerasable, programmable ROM), as well as any other volatile ornon-volatile media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical ormagnetic disks and other persistent memory. Volatile media includedynamic random access memory (DRAM), which typically constitutes a mainmemory. Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, afloppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any othermagnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards,paper tape, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, aPROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EEPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, orany other medium from which a computer can read. As discussed above,memory 186 may store one or more computer program products which may beembodied as software, firmware, or the like.

Computer 46 is coupled to seatbelt buckles 30,32 via at least oneconnection. In FIG. 1, power connections 188,190 and communicationconnections 192, 194 are shown; however, this is merely exemplary. Theconnections 188-194 may be wired or wireless; further, they may bediscrete connections and/or bus or network connections (e.g., controllerarea network (CAN) bus, Ethernet, Local Interconnect Network (LIN),etc.). In one non-limiting example, connections 188, 190 are used toactuate the respective attracting members (112) and connections 192, 194are network connections (for communicating sensor data from respectivesensors (75)).

During operation of the electronic seatbelt system 10, the clip 14 andbuckle 30 first are in an uncoupled state (e.g., the clip 14 is notlocated within the buckle 30). Next, the clip 14 may be inserted intothe seatbelt buckle 30—e.g., a user may manually slide the tongue 56into the slotted opening 70 of the housing 64 (and into the frame 66)until the ramp 158 of the lock 118 is located within the opening 60 ofthe tongue 56. In one example, as the tongue 56 is driven against theramp 158, the free end 148 of the base plate 144 moves toward theattracting member 112. Once the ramp 158 is within the tongue opening60, the abutting surfaces 62, 164 (of the clip 14 and ramp 158,respectively) are located adjacent one another and the base plate 144resiliently returns to the nominal position. The clip 14 and buckle 30may remain in this coupled state until the computer 46 determines toelectronically actuate the attracting member 112 and consequentlyrelease the clip 14.

The computer 46 may receive input(s) from other computers or devices todetermine when to electronically actuate the attracting member 112. Orthe computer 46 may determine without such inputs, as described in atleast one non-limiting example below. Regardless, it should beappreciated that the actuation may be directed to one or more seatbeltbuckles 30-36 in the vehicle 12. For example, any suitable number ofbuckles 30-36 may be energized so that the respective clips 14-20 arereleased to the uncoupled state, or certain clips may be released whileothers are not.

In one example, computer 46 receives sensor data from the buckle sensor75 and determines to actuate the attracting member 112 based on thisdata. In one non-limiting example, a person may touch the sensor 75 withhis/her finger, and the sensor 75 may provide an electronic output tothe computer 46 that includes biometric data (e.g., via connection 192).The computer 46 may determine whether a fingerprint (or partialfingerprint) matches that of an authorized user—i.e., a user authorizedto release the clip 14 from the buckle 30. If the computer 46 determinesa match, the computer 46 may electronically actuate the attractingmember 112. If the computer 46 determines that a match does not exist,the computer 46 may not perform the actuation. In one example, anauthorized adult may have previously stored fingerprint or otheridentifying information in computer memory 186 via any suitable method(e.g., via a vehicle touchscreen, a mobile device, etc.). Thus, e.g., ifa child touches the sensor 75 during the autonomous taxi examplediscussed above, the computer 46 may not determine a match.

The electronic actuation may cause a suitable electrical current to passthrough the attracting member 112 (e.g., via connection 188), therebyenergizing the attracting member 112 and generating a magnetic field. Inresponse, the free end 134 of the actuator plate 128 may move toward theattracting member 112 (to the attracted position). More specifically,the magnetic field may be sufficiently strong to cause the flange 136 tocontact and drive the free end 148 of the lock base plate 144 toward theattracting member 112—e.g., far enough so that the locking feature 158(e.g., the ramp) is displaced from the opening 60 in the tongue 56 ofclip 14 (i.e., at the driven position of the lock 118). This thenpermits the ejector mechanism 120 to drive the tongue 56 out of thebuckle 30, as the ejector bracket 168 is biased toward the slottedopening 70 of the housing 64. In at least one example, the terminalportions 140, 142 of the flange 136 contact and drive the protrudingportions 154, 156 of the (lock's) base plate 144 to move the free end148 of base plate 144 to the driven position. (And in examples wherecore 166 is used, the core 166 further promotes movement of the free end148 of the lock 118 toward the attracting member 112.) When theelectrical current ceases, the base plate 144 of the lock 118 returns toits nominal position—no longer being driven by the actuator 114—ande.g., being biased to this position by the resiliency of the actuator114, by a spring (not shown), by a combination thereof, etc. Similarly,the actuator plate 128 (if pivotally coupled) may simply return to itsnominal position; or if the actuator plate 128 is fixed at its proximalend 130, it may return to its nominal position based on a resiliencythereof. In this uncoupled state, the buckle 30 is again ready toreceive the clip 14 and repeat the operation.

Other examples of the computer 46 actuating the seatbelt buckle 30include the computer 46 receiving a wireless message or instruction froma mobile device (not shown). For example, the computer 46 may receive acellular communication or short range wireless communication (e.g.,Bluetooth, BLE, Wi-Fi, etc.), or the like) indicating that an authorizeduser desires to release the clip 14 from the seatbelt buckle 30.Continuing with the autonomous taxi example, a parent may receive anindication that the taxi vehicle 12 has arrived at its destination; andin response, the parent may transmit to the computer 46—via the mobiledevice—an acknowledgement and a command to electronically actuate thebuckle 30. Upon receiving such a command, the computer 46 may validatethe authenticity of the command, and upon validation, electronicallyactuate the seatbelt buckle 30.

In one example, the computer 46 receives an actuation signal from aswitch 196 in the vehicle 12 (e.g., on the instrument panel). This maybe actuated by a driver of the vehicle 12—and may be used when thevehicle 12 is operating in an autonomous and/or non-autonomous mode.

In another example, an emergency switch 198 may be located on anexterior 200 of the vehicle 12 which, when depressed, causes thecomputer 46 to provide the electronic actuation. In an emergencysituation, this switch 198 may be available to emergency personnel, andthe computer 46 may actuate the attracting member 112 in response to theswitch 198 being actuated and a determination that the vehicle 12 isstationary.

In another example, the computer 46 may receive an electrical inputindicating that the vehicle airbags (not shown) have deployed and thatthe vehicle 12 is stationary. In response, the computer 46 mayelectronically actuate one or more (e.g., or all) seatbelt buckles 30-36so that persons restrained by them may be able to egress the vehicle 12.These are merely example situations wherein the computer 46 mayelectronically actuate the seatbelt buckle(s); others exist.

Furthermore, other electronic seatbelt system 10 implementations alsoexist. For example, the system 10 further may include an auxiliary powersource 202 (FIG. 1) that provides backup power to the system 10 in theevent that primary vehicle power is unavailable. The power source 202may be coupled to computer 46, or in other examples, it may be coupledto the seatbelt buckle(s) 30-36 directly.

Different seatbelt buckle examples also exist. For example, FIGS. 11-13illustrate a seatbelt buckle 30′ that can release the seatbelt clip 14via both manual or electronic actuation. Here, sensor 75 (and optionalcircuit card 122) are replaced by an actuation pushbutton 204 having asurface 206 that is formed as part of actuator 114′—e.g., the pushbutton204 may be molded within the same piece of material as the actuator114′. The pushbutton 204 may be a protrusion that extends from a majorsurface 208 of actuator plate 128′—the size and location thereofcorresponding to the opening 74 in the housing 64. Thus, a user'sfinger(s) may depress the surface 206 causing the actuator 114′ to drivethe lock 118 to the driven position, and consequently the lockingfeature 158 may be driven from within the coupling feature 58 (of clip14). Alternatively, the computer 46 may perform this operationelectronically, as described in detail above.

An optional cover 210 which is configured to overlay the pushbutton 204may be included which at least partially encloses the buckle 30′ toinhibit a child or other person from actuating the pushbutton 204 whenthe cover 210 is installed. The cover 210 may include one or moresuitable childproof locking features 212. In this manner, adults may usethe buckle 30′ (e.g., when the cover 210 is removed) or a child may beinhibited from depressing the pushbutton 204 (e.g., when the cover 210is installed). Childproof locking features 212 are generally known andwill not be described herein.

In other seatbelt buckle examples, the actuator 114 could carry anelectromagnet and the attracting member 112 could carry a magnetic core.Here, the buckle would operate in a similar manner as that describedabove; e.g., the actuator 114 could still move toward the attractingmember 112 thereby driving the lock 118 toward the member 112 andcausing the clip 14 to be released.

In another seatbelt buckle example, the sensor 75 could be a tactilesensor. For example, when pressure greater than a predeterminedthreshold is applied to surface 121 of sensor 75, in one example, thesensor could send a message or electrical signal to computer 46 totrigger the electronic actuation of the seatbelt buckle 30. Or forexample, the sensor 75 could provide a pressure measurement (e.g., viaan electrical value) to the computer 46; and computer 46 could determinewhether to electronically actuate the buckle 30 based on themeasurement. In this example, the threshold may be associated with astrength and dexterity of the user to apply such pressure to the surface121—e.g., a pressure threshold may be large enough that it can bepresumed that most children could not apply it—thereby effectivelychildproofing the releasing of the clip 14 from the buckle 30.

Thus, there has been described an electronic seatbelt system thatincludes a seatbelt clip and a seatbelt buckle, the buckle having anattracting member and actuator that comprises an attractable element.The buckle may be configured so that when the attracting member iselectronically actuated, the attractable element is drawn toward theattracting member thereby causing the actuator to drive a lock torelease the clip.

In general, the computing systems and/or devices described may employany of a number of computer operating systems, including, but by nomeans limited to, versions and/or varieties of the Ford SYNC®application, AppLink/Smart Device Link middleware, the Microsoft®Automotive operating system, the Microsoft Windows® operating system,the Unix operating system (e.g., the Solaris® operating systemdistributed by Oracle Corporation of Redwood Shores, Calif.), the AIXUNIX operating system distributed by International Business Machines ofArmonk, N.Y., the Linux operating system, the Mac OSX and iOS operatingsystems distributed by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif., the BlackBerryOS distributed by Blackberry, Ltd. of Waterloo, Canada, and the Androidoperating system developed by Google, Inc. and the Open HandsetAlliance, or the QNX® CAR Platform for Infotainment offered by QNXSoftware Systems. Examples of computing devices include, withoutlimitation, an on-board vehicle computer, a computer workstation, aserver, a desktop, notebook, laptop, or handheld computer, or some othercomputing system and/or device.

Computing devices generally include computer-executable instructions,where the instructions may be executable by one or more computingdevices such as those listed above. Computer-executable instructions maybe compiled or interpreted from computer programs created using avariety of programming languages and/or technologies, including, withoutlimitation, and either alone or in combination, Java™, C, C++, VisualBasic, Java Script, Perl, etc. Some of these applications may becompiled and executed on a virtual machine, such as the Java VirtualMachine, the Dalvik virtual machine, or the like. In general, aprocessor (e.g., a microprocessor) receives instructions, e.g., from amemory, a computer-readable medium, etc., and executes theseinstructions, thereby performing one or more processes, including one ormore of the processes described herein. Such instructions and other datamay be stored and transmitted using a variety of computer-readablemedia.

A computer-readable medium (also referred to as a processor-readablemedium) includes any non-transitory (e.g., tangible) medium thatparticipates in providing data (e.g., instructions) that may be read bya computer (e.g., by a processor of a computer). Such a medium may takemany forms, including, but not limited to, non-volatile media andvolatile media. Non-volatile media may include, for example, optical ormagnetic disks and other persistent memory. Volatile media may include,for example, dynamic random access memory (DRAM), which typicallyconstitutes a main memory. Such instructions may be transmitted by oneor more transmission media, including coaxial cables, copper wire andfiber optics, including the wires that comprise a system bus coupled toa processor of a computer. Common forms of computer-readable mediainclude, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk,magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD, any otheroptical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium withpatterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EEPROM, any othermemory chip or cartridge, or any other medium from which a computer canread.

Databases, data repositories or other data stores described herein mayinclude various kinds of mechanisms for storing, accessing, andretrieving various kinds of data, including a hierarchical database, aset of files in a file system, an application database in a proprietaryformat, a relational database management system (RDBMS), etc. Each suchdata store is generally included within a computing device employing acomputer operating system such as one of those mentioned above, and areaccessed via a network in any one or more of a variety of manners. Afile system may be accessible from a computer operating system, and mayinclude files stored in various formats. An RDBMS generally employs theStructured Query Language (SQL) in addition to a language for creating,storing, editing, and executing stored procedures, such as the PL/SQLlanguage mentioned above.

In some examples, system elements may be implemented ascomputer-readable instructions (e.g., software) on one or more computingdevices (e.g., servers, personal computers, etc.), stored on computerreadable media associated therewith (e.g., disks, memories, etc.). Acomputer program product may comprise such instructions stored oncomputer readable media for carrying out the functions described herein.

The processor is implemented via circuits, chips, or other electroniccomponent and may include one or more microcontrollers, one or morefield programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), one or more application specificcircuits ASICs), one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), one ormore customer integrated circuits, etc. the processor can receive thedata from the sensors and determine, from the data, [what the processoris supposed to do]. The processor may be programmed to process thesensor data. Processing the data may include processing the video feedor other data stream captured by the sensors to determine the roadwaylane of the host vehicle and the presence of any target vehicles. Asdescribed below, the processor instructs vehicle components to actuatein accordance with the sensor data. The processor may be incorporatedinto a controller, e.g., an autonomous mode controller.

The memory (or data storage device) is implemented via circuits, chipsor other electronic components and can include one or more of read onlymemory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), flash memory, electricallyprogrammable memory (EPROM), electrically programmable and erasablememory (EEPROM), embedded MultiMediaCard (eMMC), a hard drive, or anyvolatile or non-volatile media etc. The memory may store data collectedfrom sensors.

The disclosure has been described in an illustrative manner, and it isto be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended tobe in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Manymodifications and variations of the present disclosure are possible inlight of the above teachings, and the disclosure may be practicedotherwise than as specifically described.

1. A seatbelt buckle, comprising: a housing; an attracting member; anattractable element; and a plate adapted to retain a seatbelt clipwithin the housing, wherein the member, the element, and the plate arecarried by the housing; wherein, when the member is electronicallyactuated, the element causes the plate to move toward the member andthereby release the clip.
 2. The seatbelt buckle of claim 1, wherein themember is an electro-magnetic device.
 3. The seatbelt buckle of claim 2,wherein the member includes a magnetic core.
 4. The seatbelt buckle ofclaim 1, wherein the element is a magnetic core.
 5. The seatbelt buckleof claim 1, wherein a locking feature protrudes from one side of theplate, wherein one end of the plate is coupled to the housing, wherein,when the member is actuated, the element causes the plate to resilientlyflex and thereby release the clip.
 6. The seatbelt buckle of claim 1,wherein the plate comprises a magnetic core responsive to the attractingmember.
 7. The seatbelt buckle of claim 1, further comprising anactuator that comprises an actuator plate and a flange extending fromthe actuator plate, wherein the flange carries the element.
 8. Theseatbelt buckle of claim 7, wherein only one end of the actuator plateis coupled to the housing.
 9. The seatbelt buckle of claim 1, furthercomprising a sensor located at an opening of the housing.
 10. Theseatbelt buckle of claim 9, wherein the sensor is a biometric sensor.11. The seatbelt buckle of claim 1, further comprising an actuator, thatincludes a pushbutton, carried by the housing, wherein, when thepushbutton is displaced inwardly with respect to the housing, theactuator moves the plate to thereby release the clip.
 12. The seatbeltbuckle of claim 11, wherein the actuator carries the attractableelement.
 13. The seatbelt buckle of claim 11, further comprising a coverfor the housing adapted to cover the pushbutton.
 14. A seatbelt buckle,comprising: a housing; a touch sensor; an attracting member; a lock; andan actuator, wherein the sensor, the member, the lock, and the actuatorare carried by the housing, wherein the actuator is adapted to beattracted to the member via a magnetic coupling, thereby driving thelock to release a seatbelt clip retained thereby.
 15. The seatbeltbuckle of claim 14, wherein the sensor is adapted to detect afingerprint and provide an electronic output associated with thefingerprint.
 16. The seatbelt buckle of claim 14, wherein the member orthe actuator includes an electromagnet.
 17. The seatbelt buckle of claim14, wherein the member or the actuator includes an attractable element.18. The seatbelt buckle of claim 17, wherein the element is a magneticcore.
 19. The seatbelt buckle of claim 14, wherein the member, the lock,the actuator, or a combination thereof comprise a magnetic core.
 20. Theseatbelt buckle of claim 14, wherein at least one of the lock or theactuator have a free end and an end coupled to the housing, wherein thefree end moves in response to the member or the actuator being energizedto generate the magnetic coupling.